Bill Montgomery's house is lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree at the moment, but unfortunately it hasn't all been smooth sailing.

"The big storm we had the other night blew everything off the roof and bruised a few lights...and my big tree got blown [off the roof]!" says Bill.

The 'big tree' is the Christmas Tree that's perched on the carport roof, one of hundreds of decorations that Bill and his wife have gathered to create a festive wonderland at their home on Nelson Terrace.

Bill's been decorating his garden with Christmas lights for the last 15 years and usually starts to assemble in July. This year however, with record rainfall and plenty of storms, he waited until November. As a result, his display isn't quite as enormous as it was last year when he won the Christmas Lights competition ahead of rivals on Lovegrove Drive and Macdonnell Court.

"You've got to have friendly rivalry," explains Bill.

"Each year you've got to outdo the other person...and it makes it good for the public as well - more attractions."

But there's still plenty to see on Nelson Drive, with singing santas, santas on seesaws, dancing santas and a beautiful array of lights, including the rope lights on the grass.

"It's like a lightshow on the floor," says Bill.

"The kids jump in and out of all the squares and triangles, it's a bit of a novelty for them..."

Bill turns his lights on every night and switches them off at 11pm.

The smiles on kids faces and the opportunity to meet people make it all worth it, he says.

"You get to meet a lot of people from all different walks of life, and different cultures...we've had some people from England, a couple from America and a couple from Sweden."

The display is also raising money for children's causes. Donations by people visiting the garden go towards the Variety club and Special Souls - a support group for kids with special needs.

Bill's display at 89 Nelson Tce will be up until 10th January.

(If you're keen to see some of the other displays you can head to George's place on 32 Lovegrove Drive; Kevin's house at 8 Macdonnell Court and there's also a huge light show on the corner of Larapinta and Bradshaw Drive. De Havilland Drive is also worth a look, they've got the whole street on board and have some fantastic decorations on their street lights.)